A new art exhibition, See the Unseen, is shedding light on the often overlooked realities of mental illness in Thai society. The exhibition, located at Seacon Square in Bangkok, offers visitors a unique, interactive experience that invites reflection on mental health issues and challenges societal stigmas surrounding mental well-being. Running until February 23, the show aims to foster conversations and empathy about mental health struggles, and is the result of a collaborative effort by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), Mutual, Eyedropper Fill, MasterPeace, and Studio Persona.
Three Zones, Three Perspectives
The exhibition is organized into three distinct zones, each offering a unique approach to understanding mental health:
Painful Words – In this interactive installation, visitors are encouraged to share words that have negatively affected their mental health. These personal contributions are incorporated into the artwork, symbolizing the power of language in shaping emotional well-being.
60 Painful Experiences – This zone showcases art therapy creations from 60 individuals, providing an intimate view of how art can serve as a therapeutic outlet for those dealing with mental health challenges. Visitors are invited to contribute to the artwork, creating a shared space for empathy and mutual understanding.
See Through Three Hearts – This exhibit tells the real-life stories of three individuals whose mental health struggles are exacerbated by societal stigma. The installation highlights how psychological distress often manifests physically, influencing daily life and urging visitors to reconsider their perceptions of mental illness.
A Personal Account: The Cost of Misunderstanding
For many individuals living with mental health conditions, societal stigma remains a significant obstacle. One exhibition attendee, a university student diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), shared her personal experience of feeling misunderstood.
“I realized I had ADHD during my university years. I often struggled to focus in class and felt isolated. Some people think ADHD means you can’t work efficiently or need special privileges, which isn’t true,” she explained.
Despite the challenges she faced, the student emphasized the importance of support systems, particularly from her mother, in overcoming these obstacles. She expressed gratitude for the safe spaces and understanding relationships that allowed her to navigate her mental health journey.
A Call for Empathy and Understanding
The exhibition highlights the role of language, perception, and societal attitudes in shaping the experiences of those living with mental health conditions. By offering a space for reflection and open dialogue, See the Unseen encourages visitors to challenge their preconceived notions and to approach mental illness with greater empathy and understanding.
See the Unseen is open at Mun Mun Art Destination, located on the third floor of Seacon Square mall, until February 23.
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